Patterns of strategic change

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to know how strategic change processes unfold over time and their potential consequences for firms. The study has two main objectives: to identify the actors involved; and to analyze the sequences of changes when a firm experiences strategic change.

Design/methodology/approach

To know the temporal sequence of strategic change is per se one of the most important questions of research in management. This is because it allows for a better understanding of how and why organizations change. The qualitative analysis – based on the existing literature on the change processes – aims to capture reality in flight and study long-term processes.

Findings

The study identifies strategic change’s essential patterns. It determines when it is appropriate to use these sequences to improve firm performance and it explains that reorganization of the senior management can produce strategic change. The results provide a greater understanding of the strategic change processes carried out by firms which will broaden the theory relating to this subject.

Practical implications

To know the strategic change circumstances and, over all, the sequence of the change process, could accelerate its implementation in a time when the speed is essential for the company competitiveness.

Originality/value

The paper studies strategic change like a process. The results provide a greater understanding of the strategic change processes carried out by firms which will broaden the theory relating to this subject. The study identifies strategic change’s essential patterns both incremental as radical. By identifying these sequences, it can define the what, how and why of change, and who is involved.

Citation

Dominguez CC, M., Galán-González, J.L. and Barroso, C. (2015), "Patterns of strategic change", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 28 No. 3, pp. 411-431. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2014-0097